Circadia Light Day Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 37 Versus Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Serum SPF 60+
Updated on February 12, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Circadia Light Day Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 37 43 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Serum SPF 60+ 23 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Circadia Light Day Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 37 43 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Serum SPF 60+ 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.8%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
Vp/Eicosene Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethyl Capramide
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Citrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAniba Rosaeodora Wood Extract
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract
Skin ConditioningDiaminopropionoyl Tripeptide-33
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Distearate
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Isomalt
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Octocrylene 2.8%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Glycerin, Silica, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethyl Capramide, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Aniba Rosaeodora Wood Extract, Lecithin, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract, Diaminopropionoyl Tripeptide-33, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Distearate, Hexylene Glycol, Isohexadecane, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Isomalt, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 13.5%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 10%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Silica
Abrasive
Dimethicone
Emollient
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Polyurethane-62
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Trideceth-6
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 13.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 10%, Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Silica, Dimethicone, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polyurethane-62, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Chlorphenesin, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Trideceth-6, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateOctocrylene protects skin from sun damage. It absorbs UV-B with peak absorption of 304 nm. It is a common sunscreen ingredient and often paired with avobenzone, a UVA filter. This is because octocrylene stabilizes other sunscreen ingredients by protecting them from degradation when exposed to sunlight. Octocrylene is a photostable ingredient and loses about 10% of SPF in 95 minutes.
Octocrylene also acts as an emollient, meaning it helps skin retain moisture and softens skin. It is oil-soluble and hydrophobic, enhancing water-resistant properties in a product.
Those who are using ketoprofen, a topical anti-inflammatory drug, may experience an allergic reaction when using octocrylene. It is best to speak with a healthcare professional about using sunscreens with octocrylene.
The EU allows a maximum of these concentrations:
Learn more about OctocrylenePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Circadia Light Day Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 37 43 ingredients
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Serum SPF 60+ 23 ingredients
Reviews
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Circadia Light Day Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 37 43 ingredients
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